My lettuce seeds have begun to sprout! its quite exciting, but I can't say I've done much work. In fact, God has done most of the work for me as the rain and sun have been taking turns appearing. However, I only go visit my garden once a a day at most. I kinda forgot about it over the weekend, and as a result, my basil plant pretty much died. I know gardening has many parallels with life, but the current one God is challenging me with is prayer. The way I gardening is very much like my prayer life. long story short, I pretty much don't care about it. I don't make any special effort to set aside time to pray. well, not constantly of course. However, with the help of my cousin Roger and Jaeson Ma's blog, I am reminded once again the importance of prayer. I think praying can feel like staring at a plant grow all day... it feels like its gunna take forever to see some result, but after a week or a month, there will be a big difference. maybe a sprout will show, maybe a fruit will bear. but the process takes patience, dedication, and... trust. Praying is loving.
I had many other things in mind, but thats all I can think of for now. OH! I watched Julie and Julia two days ago. I LOVED IT! ill talk more bout it next time.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Spring Break
Spring break started off bad, but ended great! I spent many nights up... (confessions) watching Taiwanese dramas. >.< For those that are wondering which ones, they're Down With Love and Autumn Concerto. I became a big fan of the actors in those shows: Ella Chen from S.H.E (Taiwanese girl singing group) and Vanness Wu (who's an out-spoken Christian and Taiwanese American). I began to really miss Taiwan watching those shows. I also found myself wondering "what if I was like all the ABT (American born Taiwanese) celebrities that go back to Taiwan and become famous? That'd be awesome!" I dont think I can pull off singing, but dancing i can do! It was fun thinking about it, but it was all very self centered. none of that daydreaming had glorifying God in mind. Through this daydreaming, however, two things dawned on me: 1.) Why I am Taiwanese American and 2.) Why I am a Christian.
1.) In watching the Taiwanese dramas, I realized there were many Taiwanese jokes that no matter how good of a job the translators of mysoju.com does, non-taiwanese people just won't understand. Similarly, there are Korean jokes, phrases, sayings, that I'll just never be able to understand in Korean dramas. But, in any case, I felt unique as a Taiwanese American to be able to understand the subtle humour of the Taiwanese drama. Also, a movie called Formosa Betrayed came out during break. The movie was heavily supported by the Taiwanese community across America. My friend, Jon Lee, was the associate producer of the film, which starred James Van Der Beek (better known as Dawson) and Will Tiao (also producer and writer). The film is a political thriller that examines the history behind the tension between China and Taiwan, and China-Taiwan-US relations. It's really interesting. I dont have the time to go into it right now, but yall just gotta go see it. I can more confidently say I am Taiwanese American, and not Chinese. However, it's hard to say that without that background voice saying "and therefore I am better." That's still something I need to fight against. This issue will come up in the future I'm sure.
2.) Staying up to 4, 5,6 am on some nights watching the dramas made me feel sick the next day. not literally, but knowing that I had wasted my life. Mysoju.com admits to "feed your drama addiction." and that's exactly what I felt like, a drama addict. I was chained by it, I couldn't keep myself from not watching. I'm not saying that watching dramas is always bad. But for me, given the time and other circumstances, I was sinning. I was not living for the purposes of God. I was consumed in my own desires, not willing to let it go. Consumed in fantasy, even daydreaming about the episodes I had watched the next day, scenes that interrupt even my prayer times to God. In that, Satan really used it to distract me from God, my family, and my schoolwork. When that starts happening, I knew I wasn't glorifying God, nor living purposefully for Him. What finally saved me from this addiction? Kingdom perspective. I visited my old church this past Sunday and I was really convicted by Hans' message during (and after) service, and Irene's Sunday school lesson. I'm ALWAYS encouraged by them whenever I go back to visit. they're just one of those ppl you wanna be around cuz... you learned from them, their words, their actions, everything about them, you know they're trying to live for God, and they're attempt to live for God in everyway (their marraige, raising Emeth, serving at church, finishing school) is so beautiful. In a few sentences, the message was about living for the kingdom of Heaven. I tried to explain this in a non-Christiany lingo to a friend today, but it was realllly hard. So I'll try again here. Living for the Kingdom of Heaven means, in simpler terms, living for Jesus! haha. Let me explain.... next time!
1.) In watching the Taiwanese dramas, I realized there were many Taiwanese jokes that no matter how good of a job the translators of mysoju.com does, non-taiwanese people just won't understand. Similarly, there are Korean jokes, phrases, sayings, that I'll just never be able to understand in Korean dramas. But, in any case, I felt unique as a Taiwanese American to be able to understand the subtle humour of the Taiwanese drama. Also, a movie called Formosa Betrayed came out during break. The movie was heavily supported by the Taiwanese community across America. My friend, Jon Lee, was the associate producer of the film, which starred James Van Der Beek (better known as Dawson) and Will Tiao (also producer and writer). The film is a political thriller that examines the history behind the tension between China and Taiwan, and China-Taiwan-US relations. It's really interesting. I dont have the time to go into it right now, but yall just gotta go see it. I can more confidently say I am Taiwanese American, and not Chinese. However, it's hard to say that without that background voice saying "and therefore I am better." That's still something I need to fight against. This issue will come up in the future I'm sure.
2.) Staying up to 4, 5,6 am on some nights watching the dramas made me feel sick the next day. not literally, but knowing that I had wasted my life. Mysoju.com admits to "feed your drama addiction." and that's exactly what I felt like, a drama addict. I was chained by it, I couldn't keep myself from not watching. I'm not saying that watching dramas is always bad. But for me, given the time and other circumstances, I was sinning. I was not living for the purposes of God. I was consumed in my own desires, not willing to let it go. Consumed in fantasy, even daydreaming about the episodes I had watched the next day, scenes that interrupt even my prayer times to God. In that, Satan really used it to distract me from God, my family, and my schoolwork. When that starts happening, I knew I wasn't glorifying God, nor living purposefully for Him. What finally saved me from this addiction? Kingdom perspective. I visited my old church this past Sunday and I was really convicted by Hans' message during (and after) service, and Irene's Sunday school lesson. I'm ALWAYS encouraged by them whenever I go back to visit. they're just one of those ppl you wanna be around cuz... you learned from them, their words, their actions, everything about them, you know they're trying to live for God, and they're attempt to live for God in everyway (their marraige, raising Emeth, serving at church, finishing school) is so beautiful. In a few sentences, the message was about living for the kingdom of Heaven. I tried to explain this in a non-Christiany lingo to a friend today, but it was realllly hard. So I'll try again here. Living for the Kingdom of Heaven means, in simpler terms, living for Jesus! haha. Let me explain.... next time!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Sowing the Seeds
First of all, I just wanna say I'm in awe of how Jaeson Ma is able to blog everyday despite his busy schedule JUST to bless those reading it. Also, how Van Ness Wu is able to remain humble and grateful for everything in his life despite his fame and fortunes, and how he's witnessing for Jesus even to his fellow singers and actors in the entertainment industry AND how he's able to also blog at least a few times a month to bless his fans. Also, how Irene, and recently Hans, are blogging truth and light for others as they share about their lives. All of them are my inspiration to blog once a week this summer.
Now onto my main entry...
I started a garden in my backyard last week. It's not very big, but it's my first time gardening so it's enough for me. The reason I wanted to start a garden this year is because I had a crazy idea one night to start a garden on the West Side of Chicago because that area is known as the "food desert" because the communities in that area have little access to fresh produce. I strongly believe that eating healthy is an important investment to obtain a healthier and happier life style. I decided to be a nutrition major this year because the topic of food is just SO interesting! We all know everybody loves food, especially me. But aside from personal preference, there's so many cultural and social-economic aspects to what kinds of food people have access to or buy. Food is an intersect for all sorts of subjects like biology, chemistry, anatomy, social dynamics, psychology, economy, politics (lots more than most people think), business, and well... pretty much all aspects of human life.
As I'm writing this, I'm wondering how I can serve people by being a dietitian. I think more that telling people what they can and cannot eat, I want to just walk along side people, to encourage them to be the best they can be, to be the best they were meant to be, to be the best they were created to be. Being a dietitian isn't just helping people get physically right, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. Many people are anorexic or obese because they struggle with deeper psychological or emotional issues. Not even in those extremes, people struggle with they're weight just for various reasons and sometimes they just need a lil help or encouragement. I especially want to work with low-income families. Obesity is highest amongst those living under low income for many many reason. One of which includes the whole flip in the American diet as government-substidized corn have made everything containing high-fructose corn syrup cheaper than ever. Watch Food, inc. if you get the chance. You'll know what I'm talking about more. It also pains me to know so many inner City kids don't even know how to distinguish a tomato from broccoli! They know what fries are, but they don't know what a potato looks like. They know ketchup, but never knew they were made from tomatoes. what is this world coming to???
I think the only thing that's still holding me back from being overly excited about nutrition is the fact they I know I have to change myself first. I have to make some life style changes if I want to tell others what to do. what works and what doesn't. I can't advice others to do something I've never done before. It's like what they tell the leaders at my church (HMCC), you gotta experience it first in order for you to lead your life group members to experience it. That means praying, doing QTs, surrendering, confessing, repenting, sacrificing, loving, caring, etc. That's the hardest part of being a leader. So often times I'm a hypocrite, just like the Pharisees. Tellin' other what to do when I don't do it myself. This is what I fear the most becoming a dietitian. no let me correct that. I don't fear it. I don't fear having to change myself. I don't fear dying to myself. because I know God'll change me for the better. but it's just haaaaaard changing. I dread it. I put it off. Yes, I put off repenting. I considered doing that tonight actually. But now that I said it here, I can't anymore =P
God transform the world. transform me first.
God break the world. break me first.
This is my prayer for myself this summer. That I'd experience transformation and breakage. Please pray for me and keep me accountable.
My prayer for others... (join me if you'd like)
- my Mom and Dad's relationship
- Carrie, for love and patience for her students
- for my aunt to find hope in life through Jesus
- for Irene and Hans, to have a smooth delivery and happy arrival for their second son sometime soon
- for my LG, to keep following Jesus
- for PJ and Grace, to find a lil time to rest this summer
Hopefully by mid-summer, the seeds will start to sprout and even bear fruit, in my life and in my garden! and then hopefully my fruits and veggies will be able to bless others!
Now onto my main entry...
I started a garden in my backyard last week. It's not very big, but it's my first time gardening so it's enough for me. The reason I wanted to start a garden this year is because I had a crazy idea one night to start a garden on the West Side of Chicago because that area is known as the "food desert" because the communities in that area have little access to fresh produce. I strongly believe that eating healthy is an important investment to obtain a healthier and happier life style. I decided to be a nutrition major this year because the topic of food is just SO interesting! We all know everybody loves food, especially me. But aside from personal preference, there's so many cultural and social-economic aspects to what kinds of food people have access to or buy. Food is an intersect for all sorts of subjects like biology, chemistry, anatomy, social dynamics, psychology, economy, politics (lots more than most people think), business, and well... pretty much all aspects of human life.
As I'm writing this, I'm wondering how I can serve people by being a dietitian. I think more that telling people what they can and cannot eat, I want to just walk along side people, to encourage them to be the best they can be, to be the best they were meant to be, to be the best they were created to be. Being a dietitian isn't just helping people get physically right, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. Many people are anorexic or obese because they struggle with deeper psychological or emotional issues. Not even in those extremes, people struggle with they're weight just for various reasons and sometimes they just need a lil help or encouragement. I especially want to work with low-income families. Obesity is highest amongst those living under low income for many many reason. One of which includes the whole flip in the American diet as government-substidized corn have made everything containing high-fructose corn syrup cheaper than ever. Watch Food, inc. if you get the chance. You'll know what I'm talking about more. It also pains me to know so many inner City kids don't even know how to distinguish a tomato from broccoli! They know what fries are, but they don't know what a potato looks like. They know ketchup, but never knew they were made from tomatoes. what is this world coming to???
I think the only thing that's still holding me back from being overly excited about nutrition is the fact they I know I have to change myself first. I have to make some life style changes if I want to tell others what to do. what works and what doesn't. I can't advice others to do something I've never done before. It's like what they tell the leaders at my church (HMCC), you gotta experience it first in order for you to lead your life group members to experience it. That means praying, doing QTs, surrendering, confessing, repenting, sacrificing, loving, caring, etc. That's the hardest part of being a leader. So often times I'm a hypocrite, just like the Pharisees. Tellin' other what to do when I don't do it myself. This is what I fear the most becoming a dietitian. no let me correct that. I don't fear it. I don't fear having to change myself. I don't fear dying to myself. because I know God'll change me for the better. but it's just haaaaaard changing. I dread it. I put it off. Yes, I put off repenting. I considered doing that tonight actually. But now that I said it here, I can't anymore =P
God transform the world. transform me first.
God break the world. break me first.
This is my prayer for myself this summer. That I'd experience transformation and breakage. Please pray for me and keep me accountable.
My prayer for others... (join me if you'd like)
- my Mom and Dad's relationship
- Carrie, for love and patience for her students
- for my aunt to find hope in life through Jesus
- for Irene and Hans, to have a smooth delivery and happy arrival for their second son sometime soon
- for my LG, to keep following Jesus
- for PJ and Grace, to find a lil time to rest this summer
Hopefully by mid-summer, the seeds will start to sprout and even bear fruit, in my life and in my garden! and then hopefully my fruits and veggies will be able to bless others!
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